2 comments about Guide to Stamp Collecting (Collector's Series).

1. Janet Klug is the Past President of the American Philatelic Society; its journal (a subscription includes membership) is the American Philatelist. She has written an excellent overview guiding a beginner through the steps of starting a stamp collection.
   
   She writes: "[I]t includes proper care and handling of stamps, locating stamps for a collection, using the tools of a stamp collector, and deriving maximum enjoyment from a stamp collection." As a collector for over 50 years, I give her the highest marks for achieving her objectives.
   
   There are too many excellent suggestions to summarize in this Review, but a couple will give a flavor of her writing.
   
   "Myth: Stamp collectors are nerdy and obsessive about their collections.
   
   "Truth: Most collectors of anything are somewhat obsessive. Collecting is a passion. Stamp collectors are not any different in that regard.... Rock 'n' roll singer/song-writer and former Beatle John Lennon collected stamps in his youth." Klug illustrates the cover page of Lennon's album; he drew beards and mustaches on Queen Victoria and King George VI.
   
   Klug argues that stamp collectors must form a collection of books as their collection grows. She recommends Fundamentals of Philately by L. N. Williams on the technical elements of stamps, for example. As your interests narrow, you will want to purchase additional reosurces; a collector of women on stamps will want a copy of Women on United States Postage Stamps by Anita Price Davis, for example.
   
   Klug worked closely with the Smithsonian National Postal Museum in creating her book; the Lennon album was acquired by the Smithsonian in 2005. It is well worth exploring the website of the Smithsonian or the American Philatelic Society if you have any further interest. Klug's book is beautifully printed on heavy stock with clear illustrations and an attractive format which could serve as a model for arranging your stamps on an album page in an attractive manner.
   
   
   Robert C. Ross 2008



2. This book is well-written and decently researched. It doesn't "dumb down" the subject for kids, it's written clearly and directly, and is decently illustrated. Recommended.

No comments about The Postal Service Guide to US Stamps, 36th Edition.

2 comments about Scott 2010 Specialized Catalogue of United States Stamps & Covers (Scott Specialized Catalogue of United States Stamps).

1. If you collect U.S. stamps, the Scott Specialized Catalogue of United States Stamps & Covers is the single most important book you can add to your philatelic reference library. Covering everything from the earliest postmaster provisionals to beer stamps and postal stationery, the catalogue contains a wealth of information.
   
   The careful eye will catch occasional mistakes. For example, on page 206, the footnote under the Columbian issue souvenir sheets contains inaccurate numbers when referring to known essays. Other issues have incorrect data regarding perforations. These errors do not generally interfere with the catalogue's usability.
   
   If you have purchased a Scott Specialized Catalogue within the past couple of years, you can probably safely skip this one. Values for the vast majority of stamps have not changed significantly. If, however, you have never bought a Scott Specialized Catalogue, or if your copy is showing its age, the 2010 edition is a vital purchase.



2. One of the best on the market. Well worth the price even for a stamp 'accumulator' like me. Highly recommend

1 comments about Scott 2009 Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue: United States and Affiliated Territories, United Nations, Countries of the World A-B (Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue Vol 1 Us and Countries A-B).

1. What can be said? This is the bible of appraising and identifying US stamps. The only complaint is that it is much more all-encompassing than previous editions, but this reference manual is not that many more pages. The result is that the print is pretty fine.

1 comments about Scott 2009 U.S. First Day Cover Catalogue & Checklist (Scott Us First Day Cover Catalogue & Checklist).

1. For anyone collecting first day covers, this pocket version of the full sized Scott Specialized edition is indispensible. A great feature is the checkoff for each item which, when carried with you on buying expeditions, immediatly lets you know what you do have in your collection. Great value and a great tool.
   D. WeedScott 2009 U.S. First Day Cover Catalogue & Checklist (Scott Us First Day Cover Catalogue & Checklist)

1 comments about US/ BNA 2010 Postage Stamp Prices: United States, United Nations, Canada, & Provinces: Plus: Confederate States, U.s. Possessions, U.s. Trust Territories, ... Compre (Us Bna Postage Stamp Catalog).

1. The Harris Reference Catalog is a valuable asset for every Philatelist. The color photos of the stamps make for quick identification, numbering, and establishment of market value.
   
   Ordering from Amazon is a no-brainer. The company is fast and completely dependable.

5 comments about Beginner's Stamp Collecting Fun Kit: Everything You Need to Start a Fun and Fascinating Hobby.

1. This album is strictly for U.S. stamps and covers the early 1900's through 2005. There are some black and white illustrations for each year, as well as blank spaces for other stamps. The book would have been a little nicer with a spiral binding and illustrations in color. Pages that wouldn't lie flat were a definite frustration for our grandson. A few starter stamps were included, as well as hinges, but there were only about a dozen hinges, so the first thing we had to do was find a source for them. Still, it's a good functional album for providing a beginning without a large outlay of money.



2. My son wanted to look into stamp collecting. I don't know much about it. This is a good review/starting place to see what is involved in the hobby. It made a nice Christmas present, didn't cost much and showed him I had listened to his interests. Nice format and helpful included items.



3. I have started a stamp collection with my grandson. This was a very helpful tool in getting started. We enjoy looking through the book and all the stamps that came with it.
   Thanks,
   J Nelms
   California



4. Not good for small children. On the plus side kit came with lots of information about history of stamps. Did not come with to a lot of stamps. Also flimsy way to afix stamps to book. Overall not a bad start up kit but not the best out there..



5. I was disappointed in the miniscule number of stamp hinges in the kit. Picky, I know, but necessary. A few glassine envelopes would have been helpful too. These items are not readily available in small communities, and must be searched out in speciality stores.

2 comments about Scott 2010 United States Pocket Stamp Catalogue (Scott U S Pocket Stamp Catalogue).

1. This is a very helpful book in identifying Scott numbers for US stamps and providing catalog value.



2. Very handy checklist for US stamps, plus up-to-date pricing from Scott. Highly recommend this for the US collector.

5 comments about Treasury of Tips & Tricks (Leisure Arts #15947) (Paper Crafts & Stamp It).

1. Treasury of Tips & Tricks (Leisure Arts #15947) (Paper Crafts & Stamp It) This book is filled with great and easy ideas - I absolutely recommend this for serious scrapbookers!



2. I ordered this book thinking that for $12.00 or so I was going to get a little paperback craft book with a few ideas that I could use. What I got was essentially a textbook in papercrafting ideas and techniques that took me a few days to flip through. It's not like a huge college text book or anything, but it is much larger than any other papercrafting book I own.
   
   This book is invaluable, especially to anyone who is just beginning. But even for us seasoned crafters, there are plenty of new ideas to explore in this book. I highly recommend it!



3. I have found this book to be very informative in addition to providing me with good ideas. Very glad I bought it for my rubber stamping and card making projects.



4. I have tons of books on stamping , cardmaking and scrapbooking, but this one really surprised me.
   I bought it based on the good reviews, and I don't regret it!
   
   I do papercrafting all the time, and there are so many creative technique ideas in this book that I couldn't imagine!
   
   The moment I received this book, I opened it randomly and the first page I read was on "how to make scented hot embossing"!
   I thought - wow! This book seems cool...
   
   and I had the perfect first impression.
   It's really really cool!



5. This book is a collection from Paper Crafts & Stamp It magazines of tips, tricks, techniques and project ideas. It's organized by techniques! Making it so easy to find the technique you're looking for. There's even patterns for those projects that require it.
   
   I love to create and have used several of these techniques over the years. But I'm looking forward to trying some the other techniques and to see what additional tips and tricks I can learn to make my crafting quicker and more fun.
   
   Quite a few techniques are using sewing or other supplies I already have but haven't used in years, so I'm really excited to pull them out and use them in my card and paper crafting projects!

3 comments about The Official Blackbook Price Guide to United States Postage Stamps 2010, 32nd Edition.

1. Don't waste your money on this guide.
   
   After reading the beginning chapter written by someone from the well respected Linn's Stamp News and titled "Linn's Look at the New Stamp Issues," I had to check the cover to make sure I had the 2010 Blackbook. That opening chapter is about stamps issued in 2007 and compares them to 2006 issues. Did someone forget to change that chapter from a previous guide? Ouch! Not a good way to instill confidence in your guide by not updating the first chapter.
   
   So then I figured I better check to see that the stamp listings were at least a little more recent than 2007. To my initial relief, I saw the listings included stamps for 2009. But there was only one problem . . .
   
   The stamps listed as 2009 were actually the stamps issued in 2008! The 2008 listings were for 2007 stamps and the 2007 listings were for 2006 stamps!
   
   But then it didn't end there, it actually gets worse.
   
   The stamps issued in 2003, 2004, and 2005 are listed under 2002. And the headings for the stamps issued in 2001 and 2002 start a couple of pages too late, meaning that some 2002 stamps are listed in 2001 and some 2001 stamps are listed in 2000.
   
   Ugh! What a mess. Need I say more.
   
   The only reason I gave it two stars instead of one is that there were some nice articles in the guide. But the mistakes in the stamp listings make me doubt the accuracy of all the data in those listings. So what's the point in owning a guide you don't trust?



2. This is supposed to be a 2010 catalogue, yet the latest airmail stamps listed are from 2001. None of the seven airmails issued since then--or any variety thereof--is included. Moreover, all the airmail stamps that the USPS issued from 1993 to 2001 are listed under the year 1993. The semi-postal page lists Scott B1 and B2, but B3 is not listed. None of the newspaper stamps issued from 1865 to 1895 is listed. Even at the low price, this catalogue is not a good buy. From now on, I'm going to buy the Scott Pocket Stamp Catalogue instead.



3. This should be a standard for all who are interested in stamps,
   stamp collectors and those who are courious about stamp values.
   Its handy size is perfect, handbook size to take in the car, glove box
   or in your briefcase. If your thinking of becoming a collector, having this
   book will give you a great cross section from common to rare stamps and all
   that's in between. A must have handbook that is chock full of U.S. Postage
   Stamps and current values.